Obituary for Ray (Murray W.) Potter
ACTON: Ray (Murray W.) Potter of Templeton, formerly of Acton and Lexington, passed away in the arms of his loving wife at his daughter’s home in Acton on May 22nd, 2018,one week after his 81st birthday. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gail (Galvin) Potter, son Rick and wife Jean of Acton, daughter Cindy Kimball of Harvard, daughter Shelley Potter of Acton, son Ed Potter of Acton, brother Larry and wife Rosalie of Reading, sister Susan Potter and husband Tom Damkowitch of Lexington. He was the brother of the late Nancy Joy of Portland ME. "Pop" will be missed by his grandchildren Megan (Kimball) Brown and husband Erl, Joe Kimball, Kate, Chris and Mark Potter.
Ray was an avid "car guy." From his early years rebuilding cars to drive and eventually race to his later years when he restored classics, Ray was happiest working on a Ford. He was a member of the Nomads, appeared in photographs in early Hot Rod magazines, and owned a NASCAR modified car raced at Norwood Arena. This passion was also his vocation, working for Ford dealerships for his first 17 years, managing Ray’s Service Center (ARCO) in Lexington for 15 years and owning Ray’s Service Center in Harvard for 13 years. Ray’s Service Center was a family endeavor, employing his son Ed as a mechanic and wife Gail as the bookkeeper.
Upon retirement he and Gail enjoyed winters in Lady Lake FL with their friends new and old. They enjoyed the remainder of the year in their log cabin with the big garage in Templeton. Ray’s most recent project and greatest pride was working with his grandson Joe restoring his 1950 Ford pickup.
A man of integrity and honesty, Ray will be missed by all who benefited from his advice, were treated fairly in business and mentored as employees.
His memorial gathering and service will be held Saturday, June 2nd from Noon to 2:30pm at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Mass Ave (Rte 111) Acton. An interment at Westview Cemetery in Lexington at a later date will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Ray Potter to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 125 Nashua St, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Memorial page www.actonfuneralhome.com
Ray was an avid "car guy." From his early years rebuilding cars to drive and eventually race to his later years when he restored classics, Ray was happiest working on a Ford. He was a member of the Nomads, appeared in photographs in early Hot Rod magazines, and owned a NASCAR modified car raced at Norwood Arena. This passion was also his vocation, working for Ford dealerships for his first 17 years, managing Ray’s Service Center (ARCO) in Lexington for 15 years and owning Ray’s Service Center in Harvard for 13 years. Ray’s Service Center was a family endeavor, employing his son Ed as a mechanic and wife Gail as the bookkeeper.
Upon retirement he and Gail enjoyed winters in Lady Lake FL with their friends new and old. They enjoyed the remainder of the year in their log cabin with the big garage in Templeton. Ray’s most recent project and greatest pride was working with his grandson Joe restoring his 1950 Ford pickup.
A man of integrity and honesty, Ray will be missed by all who benefited from his advice, were treated fairly in business and mentored as employees.
His memorial gathering and service will be held Saturday, June 2nd from Noon to 2:30pm at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Mass Ave (Rte 111) Acton. An interment at Westview Cemetery in Lexington at a later date will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Ray Potter to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 125 Nashua St, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Memorial page www.actonfuneralhome.com